Apparatus for producing a beverage

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and a method for producing a beverage in which a lower utensil includes a dispensing spout and will initially contain a relatively small quantity of steam injected into it, or preparation water to be boiled or steamed through an overlying foraminous compartment element containing a measured quantity of a beverage-producing ingredient such as coffee, tea etc., the steam passing through a second foraminous bottomed container including a substantially greater quantity of preparation water; and the method consisting of injecting the steam into the lower utensil or boiling the preparation water in the lower utensil to create steam, and steaming it through the beverage-producing ingredient until the water in the upper container boils, and, thereafter, removing heat from the lower utensil resulting in the boiled water being sucked through the beverage-producing ingredient back into the utensil by means of which a beverage infusion is prepared.

United States Patent [191 Herrera [451 July 10,1973

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE [76] Inventor: Juan HernandezHerrera, 1240 W.

24th Street, Hialeah, Fla. 33012 [22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1970 [2]] Appl.No.: 99,138

[52] US. Cl. 99/293 [51] Int. Cl. A47j 31/00 [58] Field of Search99/292, 293, 294, 99/71, 306, 304

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,885,666 11/1932 Wood99/306 1,887,354 11/1932 Kapner 99/306 2,111,777 3/1938 Hols 99/3062,621,581 12/1952 Vamey 99/292 2,856,843 10/1958 Miklas 99/306 PrimaryExaminerRobert W. Jenkins Attorney-John Cyril Malloy [57] ABSTRACTApparatus and a method for producing a beverage in which a lower utensilincludes a dispensing spout and will initially contain a relativelysmall quantity of steam injected into it, or preparation water to beboiled or steamed through an overlying foraminous compartment elementcontaining a measured quantity of a beverage-producing ingredient suchas coffee, tea etc., the steam passing through a second foraminousbottomed container including a substantially greater quantity ofpreparation water; and the method consisting of injecting the steam intothe lower utensil or boiling the preparation water in the lower utensilto create steam, and steaming it through the beverage-producingingredient until the water in the upper container boils, and,thereafter, removing heat from the lower utensil resulting in the boiledwater being sucked through the beverage-producing ingredient back intothe utensil by means of which a beverage infusion is prepared.

4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTEB JUL 1 0 I973 INVENTOR. JUHNHERNANDEZ HERRERA 1 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally toa novel apparatus for producing beverage infusion.

2. Description of the Prior'Art There are many different types ofapparatus for producing a beverage infusion on both a commercial andpersonal or household basis. Common types of beverage production are,for example, perculation, drip or filtration types, measuring a quantityof instant ingredient with hot water, as well as involved Expressocoffees. A true connoisseur of coffee or tea is in constant search forbetter tasting beverage. Theoretically, coffees should only be producedby passing water through the grounds, for example, once. Continualcirculation of the beverage-producing water causes a relatively bittertaste and apparently leaches out acid ingredients and excessive oilsetc. Coffee without any type of sweetening, cream etc. produced properlyhas a relatively sweet and true coffee taste which is highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention particularly relates to novelapparatus for isolating the ingredient used to produce a beverageinfusion. It utilizes steam to pre-treat the ingredient such as coffee,tea etc. and, thereafter, causing water or the like to be passed throughthe infusion material to boil, and thereafter causing the boiled. waterto pass through the beverage-producing ingredient only once, and due tothe pre-steaming or treating the best essence of coffee, tea etc. isobtained.

These together with other objects and the nature and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a consideration of the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the drawing forming a partthereof, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The FIGURE of the drawing shows invertical section the apparatus of the invention which is used to effectthe novel method.

The apparatus is indicated generally at and comprises a lower utensilmember 12, an upper container member 14 and an intermediate compartmentmember 16.

The cooperating parts are produced for many suitable material includingstainless steel, fireproof plastics, ceramics, etc., etc.

The utensil member 12 comprises a hollow body 18 including a transverseor flat bottom 20 integral with upwardly converging sidewalls 22.Although the utensil is illustrated as being of the type to be heated ona gas or electric burner, for example, an integral heating unit of theimmersion type could be utilized. I

Suitably connected to the wall 22 is a dispensing spout assembly 24. Thewall 22 terminates in an upper inwardly turned shoulder 26 and an axialor vertically extending, externally threaded sleeve 28.

The container member 14 comprises a hollow body 30 having suitable hingeat 32 a displaceable lid 34'. The body 30 includes a lower axiallyextending and internally threaded sleeve 36 removably engageable withthe threaded sleeve 28 of the utensil member. Although threadedconnections are illustrated, equivalent seal connections may beutilized. Above the sleeve 36 and integral with the wall 30 is atransverse bottom 38 including an intermediate screen-like foraminousportion 40 through which water will pass, but which is of a size togenerally prevent the beverage-producing ingredients such as coffeegrounds, tea etc. passing therethrough.

The compartment member 16 includes an annular sidewall 42 integral witha lower foraminous bottom 44 preferably is of a screen material or thelike generally of a smaller gauge than the openings in the foraminousmember 40. This likewise prevents the beverageproducing ingredient 46from passing therethrough. However, steam and water will readily passthrough the openings in the foraminous portion 44. The sidewalls 42terminate in an upper annular flange or shoulder 48 which rests on theupper edge or end 50 of sleeve 28 of the utensil member. Interposed onthe upper surface of the shoulder 48 is an annular gasket 52 which isengaged by the undersurface of the bottom 38 of the compartment member.

The method is carried out by introducing steam into the member 12 ormore often by installing in the utensil member 12 a generally smallquantity of preparation water W Le, perhaps one-fourth of the finalquantity, measuring a predetermined quantity of the beverageproducingingredient and inserting it into the compartment member 16, andthereafter measuring in a separate container (not shown) the remainingamount of water W to be used in preparing the beverage. Clearly, insteadof using ground coffee at 46, coffee beans and various mixtures andtypes of coffee materials may be used so long as practical for use inthe present apparatus.

The utensil member 12 together with the other parts as assembled placedover a suitable heat source, and the water W is heated until it boils sothat the steam S thereof passes vertically through the foraminous bottom44 of the compartment member 16 steaming and pre-treating thebeverage-producing ingredient 46.

When the steam is noticeable, the measured quantity of water W is pouredinto the container member 14 and the steam will prevent the water frompassing through the foraminous bottom 40, but on the contrary, the steamwill cause the water W to heat rapidly and ultimately boil. When thewater W is boiling in the compartment member 14, the lid 34 beingpreferably in the solid line closed" position, the assembly is removedfrom the heat source, and this will indicate that the reverse cycleshould be effected. When the assembly is removed or heat is no longerapplied, due to the formation of steam, condensation or cooling willcause a partial vacuum within the utensil member 12, causing the water Wto pass into the utensil carrying with it an infusion of the beveragewhich is unsurpassed in taste and quality.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for brewing an infusion of a beverage comprising incombination:

a lower utensil for containing an initial quantity of liquid and theultimate quantity of brewed beverage;

an upper container for containing the remaining portion of the water tobe combined with the initial quantity of water;

said lower utensil and upper container including means connecting thesame in axial communicating relation; and defining an axially openthrough passageway therebetween; and

a compartment member in said passageway and completely spanning thecross sectional area thereof for containing a measured quantity of abeverageproducing ingredient from which an infusion will be produced,

- said means connnecting sealingly and removably retaining saidcompartment member interposed between said utensil and container,

said utensil and said compartment member respectively includingoverlying foraminous bottoms whereby liquid in said utensil can byapplication of a heat source be steamed upwardly through i and theundersur face of the bottom of said container adjacent the upper end ofthe axial sleeve of said container.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said container includesa displaceable lid and said utensil includes a lower dispensing ssembly.

5. A method for producing beverage infusion comprising the steps of:

A, measuring a quantity of liquid into a utensil,

B. measuring a quantity of a beverage-producing ingredient into aforaminous container and in sealed relation above the liquid in saidutensil;

C. measuring an additional quantity of liquid, greater than the firstmeasured quantity, into a container communicating with said ingredient;

D. heating the liquid in said utensil and steaming it through saidingredient until the additional liquid boils; and

E. removing the heat after the additional liquid has boiled andpermitting all of the liquid to be drawn through the pre-steamedingredient and into said utensil.

1. An assembly for brewing an infusion of a beverage comprising incombination: a lower utensil for containing an initial quantity ofliquid and the ultimate quantity of brewed beverage; an upper containerfor containing the remaining portion of the water to be combined withthe initial quantity of water; said lower utensil and upper containerincluding means connecting the same in axial communicating relation; anddefining an axially open through passageway therebetween; and acompartment member in said passageway and completely spanning thE crosssectional area thereof for containing a measured quantity of abeverage-producing ingredient from which an infusion will be produced,said means connnecting sealingly and removably retaining saidcompartment member interposed between said utensil and container, saidutensil and said compartment member respectively including overlyingforaminous bottoms whereby liquid in said utensil can by application ofa heat source be steamed upwardly through said container, passingthrough said ingredient and into the container to boil the liquidtherein, and, when cooled, will ultimately be drawn back through thebeverageproducing ingredient by the reduction of relative pressure inthe utensil and the container on removal of the heat source, whereby theultimate beverage infusion resides in the utensil after it is no longerheated.
 2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said means forconnecting comprises complementary axial telescope sleeve portions, saidcompartment element depending axially from said sleeve portions and intoan upper portion of said utensil.
 3. The structure as claimed in claim 2in which said compartment member includes an annular, upper collarresting on the upper edge of the axial sleeve of said utensil, a gasketelement interposed between said collar and the undersurface of thebottom of said container adjacent the upper end of the axial sleeve ofsaid container.
 4. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which saidcontainer includes a displaceable lid and said utensil includes a lowerdispensing assembly.